Riding results: Vicki Huntington scores a historic win in Delta South

Incumbent independent Vicki Huntington Delta-South at at the Sundance Inn on BC Election day in Ladner on Tuesday, May 14, 2013.

Photographed by:Les Bazso, PNG

METRO VANCOUVER - Vicki Huntington became the first independent MLA in B.C. history to win re-election on Tuesday night by holding onto her Delta South riding despite a shocking Liberal wave across the province.

The popular former Delta councillor, who was the first fully independent candidate to win election in B.C. in 60 years when she edged then attorney general Wally Oppal by 32 votes in 2009, beat out Liberal Bruce McDonald by a healthy margin this time.

With 70 of 109 polls reporting, Huntington had 6,256 votes to 4,806 for McDonald. The NDP’s Nic Slater had just 1,868.

“This is a fabulous outcome and we’re all thrilled,” said Huntington before addressing a crowd of about 100 supporters at a Ladner motel. “I guess it is an historic moment, the first time in B.C. history that an independent has been re-elected. And I think that says more about the riding than it does about me.

“My office has worked very hard. We’ve done a good job, I know, but this riding has twice now been willing to move in a new direction. It’s pretty incredible and I think Delta South is one hell of a place to live.”

Huntington, a passionate advocate for preserving farmland and migratory bird flyways, argued throughout the campaign that she could freely represent the views of the people in her riding without having to toe the party line.

She said she could be absolutely honest with her constituents, noting they didn’t want “trained seals” representing them.

“They know that they’ve had open and honest and really transparent representation.”

That resonated with residents, who appreciated her straight forward approach on such issues as expansion of the port at Roberts Bank, the need for a replacement for the Massey Tunnel and preservation of farm land.

Neither the Greens, nor the Conservatives, ran a candidate in the riding, out of respect, they said, for Huntington.

Huntington did say she was surprised at the Liberal victory, with the government coming from well back in the polls to earn another term.

“You have to congratulate the premier for running a campaign that somehow resonated with the people. So be it.”

Huntington noted that she has worked well in the past with the Liberal government and the NDP opposition.

Huntington said her top priorities are the preservation of agricultural land, particularly as it related to the Port of Vancouver’s planned expansion of the Roberts Bank coal port and a new crossing to replace the Massey tunnel.

Meanwhile, in Richmond, Liberal John Yap has won his third election in Richmond-Steveston. Yap has been the MLA for the riding since 2005, most recently as Minister of State for Multiculturalism.

He resigned from the position earlier this year when a multicultural outreach plan aimed at bolstering Liberal support was leaked.

Yap said the economy and jobs are the No. 1 concern he intends to focus on. He said will work to ensure that B.C. continues to have economic growth.

“That is such a key and important priority. I will continue to champion initiatives that will rebuild our economy.”

All three Richmond ridings declared Liberal candidates as winners, including Richmond East (Linda Reid) and Richmond Centre (Teresea Wat).